MTA: Erosion of travel agents at the expense of OTAs a "furphy"

Merricks: "OTAs promoting themselves as online
versions of traditional travel agents a "misnomer'"

Mobile Travel Agents' (MTA) co-managing director, Roy Merricks has labelled comments inferring travel agents and travel advisors' positions are being eroded at the expense of Online Travel Agents (OTAs) as, in his opinion, a "furphy".

Speaking from the company's national Head Office on the Gold Coast, Mr Merricks has queried whether OTAs such as Webjet and similar organisations should even be considered as de facto travel agents or travel advisers.

"Any OTA promoting itself as a travel agent or travel advisor could be construed as "potentially misleading," Mr Merricks said.

"OTAs don't deliver the products or complete services provided by a credentialed national agency, such as MTA, with true connections and support for clients on the ground globally."

Mr Merricks said that while originally, OTAs had specialised in either flights or hotel reservations, over the years they have generally added to that base to include other land content designed to broaden their appeal.

"The misnomer is they are effectively promoting themselves as an online version of a traditional travel agent - without a shop - and therefore suggesting they are more readily available," he said.

"Nothing is further from the truth and it is, in my opinion, potentially misleading when OTAs promote themselves as a travel agent or travel advisor in the sense of the words understood by consumers.

"At the end of the day the travel distribution system, travel agents and travel advisors are alive and growing well.

"OTA's should perhaps be more aptly described as Online Travel Algorithms - let's see them for what they really are."

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MTA receives Insight Vacations 'Elite Agency Award' accolade for third year in a row

Pictured, MTA co-managing director, Karen Merricks (centre) receiving an Insight Vacations 'Elite Agency Award' from the tour operator's Global CEO, John Boulding (left) and Managing Director, Alexandra O'Connor (right) at the Insight Vacations High Achievers Awards dinner taking place in Brisbane.

This is the third year running MTA has received the high volume sales-based 'Elite Agency Award' having achieved similar accolades in 2014 and 2015.

Adding further reasons to celebrate on the night, MTA also received recognition to mark its double achievement in becoming one of Insight Vacations' top five best product sellers nationally and top three in Queensland.

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MTA Members upgrade to first class Rocky Mountains lounge

Pictured MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' Beate Carr (on left) and Sonia Jones lounging around as they take in yet another memorable view of the magnificent Rocky Mountains while participating in an exclusive study tour with the iconic Rocky Mountaineer.

The MTA Members were fortunate to experience the Rocky Mountaineer's best-selling 'First Passage to the West!' program, features of  which include overnight stays in Calgary, Banff and Vancouver as part of a mountains meets coast combination.

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Harmony of the Seas’ lion gets the jump on MTA’s Tracey Flower

It's not every day you get jumped by a lion and certainly not on board a luxury cruise ship.

But that's exactly what happened to MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' Member and current Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) 'Consultant of the Year' Tracey Flower when she was invited to join an exclusive pre-inaugural cruise of Royal Caribbean International's Harmony of the Seas from Barcelona.

Tracey met Alex the Lion from 'Madagascar' as part of the ship's featured DreamWorks experience which enables younger passengers to meet with many of their movie heroes including Princess Fiona and Shrek, Po from 'Kung Fu Panda' and several other popular cartoon characters.

Additional highlights of her cruise experience included the opportunity to sample a host of the vessel's huge array of features ranging from ice skating, visiting 'Central Park' in the middle of the ship featuring real trees and plants, a 10-storey slide, two flow riders and Jamie Oliver's on board Italian restaurant.

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MTA ‘Bulas’ from Fiji

Pictured MTA- Mobile Travel Agents' Wanita Thompson enjoying a visit to Fiji's idyllic Likuliku Lagoon Resort and its famous overwater bungalows in the Mamanuca Islands.

Wanita visited the land of the Bula Spirit as part of an Island Escapes study tour designed to showcase Fiji's key tourism locations and update agents on the ongoing developments on the resort scene taking place within the destination.

Her seven-day program also included a luxury-oriented overview of properties in Pacific Harbour, the Coral Coast and the main tourism hub of Denarau.


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Big hearted MTA Members reach out to Fiji

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' co-managing directors Roy and Karen Merricks have personally delivered more than 250 kilos of clothing, toys and school materials donated by the Merricks and MTA Members to the children of Naqalimare District School in Sigatoka on Fiji's big island of Viti Levu.

The area was one of many regions of the destination severely affected by the ravages of Tropical Cyclone Winston which smashed into the Fijian archipelago with deadly effects in late February.

The Fijian people's plight was very much in focus at the recent MTA National Conference on the Gold Coast in March when high profile Fiji-based celebrity chef Lance Seeto, a close personal friend of the Merricks, addressed the members and called on them for their help.

The result, 250 kilos of clothing, toys and school materials collected at an MTA family fun-day on the Gold Coast where Chef Seeto, accompanied by MTA ambassador Jessica Watson OAM manned the BBQ for MTA Members and their families attending the 'Power of Community' national conference.

Pictured, Naqalimare District schoolchildren and just some of the 250 kilos of clothing, toys and material donated by MTA.


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MTA’s Kyara Newport serves up the perfect thank you gift

A guaranteed recipe for success and a great way to say a big thank you to loyal clients, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' Kyara Newport recently cooked up a wonderful idea – dinner for eight prepared tableside by none other than Julie Goodwin, the first person to win Masterchef Australia, in Julie's very own kitchen (www.juliesplace.com.au).

On the menu, ravioli with burnt butter sauce, filled with bacon, Feta, pine nuts and lemon juice; sea food bisque with crispy skin salmon and prawns; pork belly; white chocolate and mango cakes served with vanilla ice-cream, mango sauce and peach slices and a cheese, olive and grape platter served with homemade lavoush – with everything washed down with a fine selection of wines.

Kyara, pictured sitting on Julie Goodwin's left side, described the dinner as "a wonderful night and atmosphere and something a bit different for clients".

That just might be a bit of an understatement.


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Jessica Watson OAM cooking up a storm at MTA 2016 National Conference

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents brand ambassador Jessica Watson OAM is no stranger to a challenge.

It's a well know fact she has single-handedly circumnavigated the world, danced with the stars on national television, captained Sydney-Hobart yacht races in atrocious conditions and volunteered to work with youngsters in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon, one of her many charitable causes.

Mobile Travel Agents’ Brand Ambassador, Jessica Watson OAM

But Jessica's latest challenge at the MTA 'Power of Community' National Conference from 04-06 March has her taking on a completely new role.

In addition to her ambassadorial activities and assisting helping MC Dan Gregory throughout the conference, Jessica will also be donning chefs' whites to assist celebrity chef Lance Seeto cook at a 'conference wind down' family fun event MTA has planned on Sunday, 06 March at Broadwater Parklands.

Chef Seeto, head chef at Fiji's Mana Island Resort and a close friend of MTA co-managing directors, Roy and Karen Merricks, has planned a Fijian style BBQ on the day with Fiji's national dish 'Kokoda' (pronounced Kokonda) top of the menu as a special treat for those MTA Members and their families attending the event.

Australian-born Chef Seeto is high profile on the Pacific culinary scene.

An award-winning international food and travel writer, author, television presenter and life foods chef, he is credited with single-handedly igniting a culinary revolution across Fiji and has been integral in getting its people, restaurants and tourism partners to think differently about Fiji's tropical island cuisine.

Chef Seeto is also the country's first Culinary Ambassador to Fiji Airways with his signature business class dishes appearing across the airline's international network.

"While not known as a Gordon Ramsay type chef, none the less Lance is a perfectionist so we hope Jessica can rise to the challenge," Karen Merricks said.

"If she doesn't, no matter - we know Lance will keep her pretty busy with all the washing up after the event."

W: www.mtatravel.com.au

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MTA’s Sue Basedow comes in out of the Arctic cold

Pictured hitching herself to a reindeer lookout post in Luosto in Finnish Lapland, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' Sue Basedow described her recent visit to the Arctic Circle as one of the 'best ever experiences in more than 30 years of travel."

Visiting Estonia, Finland and Sweden as part of a 50 Degrees North, Finnair and Consolidated Travel Group 'High Achievers' study tour, itinerary highlights included the Northern Lights, a personal reindeer sleigh ride, a snow mobile tour, an overnight stay in a glass igloo and even a visit to meet Santa Claus at his village.

Sue's program also included a Stockholm - Helsinki cruise on the recently renovated Ms Silja Serenade and a flight on Finnair's new A350 on the Helsinki-Shanghai route.

W: www.mtatravel.com.au

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MTA Member goes hard putting on the Ritz

When any MTA – Mobile Travel Agent embarks on a hotel inspection, they never do things by halves as evidenced by hard-hat wearing Belinda Manning (pictured) who donned the protective gear as part of 'behind the scenes' inspection of the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris.

The MTA Member was in France as part of a Leading Hotels of the World 'Paris & French Riviera' study tour which also encompassed Nice, Cannes and Provence.

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Travel agency deregulation - let's not lose sight of the big picture: Merricks

Roy Merricks

MTA – Constructive debate is good but let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture.

Responding to comments once again questioning the credibility of a deregulated travel industry in the wake of six highly publicised agency collapses and calling for further debate, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents co-managing director, Roy Merricks has said while he agreed productive discourse is a good thing, the industry must not lose sight of the bigger picture.

Supporting deregulation, he said, was some very sound research, in the main instigated by AFTA but also drawing on wide ranging industry consultation across a more than five year period leading into the launch of ATAS on 01 July 2014.

“There was nothing to be gained by change simply for the sake of change,” Mr Merricks said.

“But the quality of the data in a Regulatory Impact Statement was compelling enough to result in a balanced conclusion as evidenced by government ratification state by state across the country which in itself was no mean feat.

“Yes there have been six known agency failures in the twelve months since deregulation but the reality is that the market is no longer localised geographically and product and process innovation are likely to have much larger consumer welfare effects overall.

“Simply because they can happen now, comprehensive consumer financial guarantees continue to evolve and be developed by several industry networks, all of which are intended to provide consumer protection limited to the insolvency of any of its members, effectively replacing the former TCF consumer protection.

“MTA is one of these networks and we have been extremely proactive in this area.

“In February we launched Zero Flight Risk™ whereby any client purchasing travel products and services through MTA can rest assured the company will guarantee their funds in the event of any approved travel intermediary or supplier becoming insolvent and being unable to deliver the product or service.

“One year on from deregulation, there is also no doubt the travel landscape has changed and will continue to change.

“But at the end of the day, the bigger picture comes back to education and elevation of standards (ATAS) and continues to be the progressive way forward.”

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MTA’s Roy and Karen Merricks score with Manchester City

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents co-managing directors, Karen and Roy Merricks scored a couple of personal goals when they met members of the Manchester City team at Cbus Stadium at Robina on the Gold Coast last week.

The MTA co-MD's met the players while attending a function organised by Etihad Airways, the Manchester club's major sponsor since 2009, at the Gold Coast stadium where the English Premier League team was in training for its clash with Melbourne Victory on the weekend.

Karen is pictured with several members of the team including skipper Vincent Kompany (on far right) and the club's record breaking signing, Raheem Sterling (second from left).

Roy too had the opportunity for a one-on-one with Sterling who recently transferred from Liverpool FC to the 'Sky Blues' for a staggering £49 million (AUD130 million).

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Licensed since 1991 and having pioneered the "out of office" travel agency model in Australia, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents is a wholly owned and operated Australian business with travel experts located "in community", nationally.  MTA Expert Travel Advisors are hand-picked travel professionals with extensive industry experience of generally between 10 and 25 years working in major agency chains prior to joining the organisation.  IATA accredited and a foundation member of ATAS, MTA is an invited member of Virtuoso, the travel industry's leading global luxury network, the exclusive Belmond Bellini Club, Cruise Lines International Association, Cruiseco  and an Accredited Space Agent with Virgin Galactic. MTA – Mobile Travel Agents national head office is on Queensland's Gold Coast.
 

MTA appoints Suzana Blazevska to Air Product Manager role

MTA - Mobile Travel Agents has appointed Suzana Blazevska to the role of Air Product Manager with immediate effect.

Ms Blazevska joins MTA with more than 20 years industry experience encompassing roles with Travelscene, STA Travel and more recently as National Air & Product Executive for Travel Counsellors.

Announcing the new appointment MTA CEO, Don Beattie said a key component of Ms Blazevska's role will be to work closely with senior management in handling contractual negotiations and managing relationships with the company's airline partners.

"Suzana brings with her considerable travel industry knowledge and skill," Mr Beattie said.

"This makes her ideal for the role and we are delighted that she has chosen to join us."

"Suzana is a great addition to our already recognised leading support team."

Attached photo: MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Air Product Manager, Suzana Blazevska


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Licensed since 1991, MTA is a 100 per cent Australian owned family business with clients nationally and headquartered on Queensland's Gold Coast.

MTA Travel Experts are hand-picked travel professionals who generally have extensive industry experience of between 15 and 25 years experience working in major agency chains prior to joining the organisation.

IATA accredited and a member of the Travel Compensation Fund, MTA is also proud to be a member of Virtuoso, the exclusive 'by-invitation-only' global organisation comprising the top one per cent of travel agencies worldwide. MTA is also a Travelscene American Express corporate member and an accredited Virgin Galactic Space Agency.

MTA Members get ‘board’ at Tangalooma

Proving agents' study tours are not all about exotic travel, sumptuous dining and luxury hotels and that some of the very best travel product is right here at home and in the backyard, a group of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents and support staff recently had the time of their lives with a short stay at Queensland's Tangalooma Island Resort.

A host of activities included quad bike riding, hand-feeding dolphins and board tobogganing down Tangalooma's famous sand dunes.

Pictured (from left to right) -  Shayne Tiplady, Dillah Shahab, Katrina Casey, Tracey McManus, MTA BDM QLD/NT/SA Sally Gorringe, MTA head office support Chantelle Dalla Vecchia, Sonia Jones, Michelle Johnston and Rhiannon Dunkley.

 
     

 

MTA Members ‘get their man’ on APT Canada educational

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, affectionately known as the 'Mounties', proudly boast they 'always get their man' – that's exactly what MTA – Mobile Travel Agents' Penny Hickey, Katie Warner, Kate Mclean and Robyn Denisenko did recently while participating in an APT Study Tour of Canada.

Highlights of the program included Vancouver, Whistler, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary and a Rocky Mountaineer program experiencing the famous train line's 'Gold Leaf' service.

The group's close encounter with the Mountie took place while visiting Banff.

Pictured with the Mountie (from left to right):  Penny Hickey, Katie Warner, Kate Mclean, and Robyn Denisenko.

ANZAC celebrations take on special meaning for MTA’s Nicci Bettles

An estimated 10,000 people are expected to attend the official ANZAC Day 100 year anniversary ceremonies taking place at Gallipoli this year with many of those present there to remember a loved one lost or who took part in the fierce fighting.

Among them will be very proud Wangaratta local and MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Member, Nicci Bettles who is making the pilgrimage of a lifetime with her father Brian ‘Bluey’ Bettles to honour the nine members of the Bettles family and two other relatives who fought at Gallipoli at various stages of that campaign.

Nicci’s great grandfather, Randolph, his four brothers and four cousins were all heavily involved in the Gallipoli and French campaigns.

KIA: Billy Bettles

And while eight of the family group made it through Gallipoli, sadly 21-year-old Billy (Howard William) Bettles was killed on 25 April at the start of the ill-fated campaign and is one of hundreds of ANZACs laid to rest at Lone Pine.

Following on from the special ANZAC Day celebrations and a visit to the Lone Pine cemetery, Nicci and her father will be travelling to France where they will also visit the graves of the four ‘Bettles Boys’ killed in action there - Hedley Farquahson Bettles who died at Bussy, Charles Leslie Bettles buried at Serre, Roy Scott Bettles and Albert John Bettles who are both buried at Villers-Bretonneux.

Nicci has been to Gallipoli in the past and has also sent many of her MTA clients to the famous site over the years.

But this visit, she said, and travelling there with her father, will make it a doubly emotional experience.

Randolph Bettles

“While many of those young Australians and New Zealanders who travelled to Gallipoli had brothers, cousins and friends with them, it is extremely rare to have 12 members of the same family fighting in the same campaigns,” Nicci said.

“That’s what makes what my grandfather, his brothers and their cousins did together so special, we are very proud of them of all and I am sure the people of Wangaratta will be too when they learn the story.”

Nicci has recently discovered a treasure trove of documents and photographs dating back to the ‘Bettles Boys’’ WW1 history, all of which she intends donating to the Australian War Memorial.

She is also planning to write a book telling the ‘Bettles Boys’’ story.

~ Lest We Forget ~

Mobile Travel Agents Member, Nicci Bettles.

‘Zero Flight Risk™’ - Don’t let your money go away without you

‘Zero Flight Risk™’ is an initiative whereby any client purchasing travel products and services through MTA can rest assured the company will guarantee their funds in the event of any approved travel intermediary or end supplier becoming insolvent and being unable to deliver the product or service.

How much can a Koala – and a Macaw - bear?

Pictured talking to the animals at the Australia Zoo Steve Irwin Gala Dinner taking place at the Brisbane Convention Centre, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents co-managing directors, Karen and Roy Merricks.

One of the biggest fund raising events taking place on the annual Queensland calendar, the Merricks played an active role in the fundraiser, successfully bidding for three framed tennis rackets signed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The framed rackets, one of more than 500 auction items up for grabs on the night, will no doubt take pride of place in the company's Robina, Gold Coast, boardroom in coming days.

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Insightful night as MTA earns National Elite Agency Status

Pictured, MTA co-managing director, Karen Merricks receiving a National Elite Agency Award from Insight Vacations managing director, Joost Timmer at the tour operators High Achievers Awards dinner in Brisbane.

This is the second year running MTA has received the accolade and positions MTA as a member of a very special club with just six agency groups having been awarded National Elite Agency status by Insight Vacations.

It was a big night for MTA with the company also picking up a second award to mark its achievement in becoming one of Insight Vacation's top three best product sellers.

Adding further icing to the cake, MTA Members Lisa Murphy and Marian Stanley also scored Insight Vacations 2015 tours for two as part of the wholesaler's latest national product launches in Adelaide and Melbourne, respectively.

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MTA Members saddle up for Vanuatu Study Tour

Pictured enjoying a very different side of Vanuatu, MTA's Alysha White, Rachel Pettett, Sue Brooking, Cathy Megale and Ayla Gleeson accompanied by Island Escape's Cassie Hunter who hosted the group on a recent exclusive MTA Vanuatu Study Tour in combination with Air Vanuatu.

Swimming horses to one side, the MTA team were kept busy inspecting a range of three to five star hotels and resorts in Port Vila and on Santo.

These included the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, Iririki Island Resort, Eratap Beach Resort, Ratua Private Island, Aore Island Resort and the Warwick Le Legon.

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